Breakdown of Вместо того чтобы использовать уголь, мы должны использовать как можно больше возобновляемой энергии.
мы
we
должен
must, have to
можно
one may, it is allowed
тот
that
чтобы
in order to
больше
more (quantity or size) / no longer, anymore
использовать
to use (+ accusative)
вместо
instead of
энергия
energy
как
as (in comparisons)
уголь
coal
возобновляемый
renewable
Questions & Answers about Вместо того чтобы использовать уголь, мы должны использовать как можно больше возобновляемой энергии.
Why do we use the infinitive использовать after вместо того чтобы, rather than a conjugated verb?
использовать appears twice here. Is it perfective or imperfective in this context?
использовать is a biaspectual verb, meaning it serves as both imperfective and perfective depending on the context. Here, it acts as an imperfective verb because the sentence discusses a general, ongoing principle (using renewable energy instead of coal) rather than a one-time completed action.
How does the phrase как можно больше work to mean 'as much as possible'?
The fixed phrase как можно literally means 'how it is possible.' When you put it right before a comparative word like больше (more), it creates the structure 'as much/many as possible.' You can use this with any comparative, for example, как можно быстрее (as fast as possible).
Why is возобновляемой энергии (renewable energy) in the genitive case here?
It takes the genitive case because it directly follows a word of quantity, больше (more). Just like saying 'a lot of' or 'a little of', expressing 'more of' something requires the genitive case in Russian.
Why isn't there a comma between того and чтобы?
When a compound conjunction like вместо того чтобы is used at the very beginning of a sentence, it is usually kept together as a single block without an internal comma. Instead, the comma is placed at the end of the entire subordinate clause (after уголь) to separate it from the main clause.
Learn Вместо того чтобы использовать уголь, мы должны использовать как можно больше возобновляемой энергии and more in Russian
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free